Annual giving · Skyward Society

Help the next breakthrough get off the ground.

Skyward Society members give once a year to fund $50,000 seed grants for pancreatic cancer researchers. The idea, before the data exists.

Join the Skyward Society Gifts of any size · renewed each year

100% to Sky Seed Research Grants
Sky Foundation is a 501(c)(3)

100%

of Skyward Society gifts go to Sky Seed Research Grants

$50,000

seed grants for pancreatic cancer researchers, nationwide

$100,000

collaborative grants considered, up to this amount

Millions

in additional funding Sky-funded researchers often go on to secure

Why seed grants

The idea, before the data exists.

Pancreatic cancer is often found too late. Changing that takes new ideas in early detection, prevention and treatment, and every new idea needs someone to fund its first experiments.

Sky seed grants are that start-up funding. They fill the critical gap that lets bold ideas mature into fundable projects. Skyward Society members keep that funding steady, year after year.

How Sky funds research

Early detection

Tools and biomarkers to catch pancreatic cancer while it is still treatable.

Prevention

Genetic risk, family history, and proactive screening for high-risk individuals.

Treatment

New drugs and approaches to halt and shrink pancreatic tumors.

Where your gift goes

How a seed grant happens.

Researchers apply
Scientists and clinicians coast-to-coast submit proposals in early detection, prevention, and treatment.
Grants are in review
Our nationally-known Scientific Advisory Committee selects the most promising work and presents it to the Governing Board.
Funds are granted
Start-up grants fill the critical gap that lets bold ideas mature into fundable projects.
Progress accelerates
Sky-funded researchers often go on to secure millions in additional funding, establish labs, build collaborations, and drive breakthroughs.

Meet the Scientific Advisory Committee who choose the grants.

Skyward giving levels

Choose how high you rise.

Every level is an annual gift, and each one includes everything in the level before it.

Level 1

Supporter

Includes

Recognition listing on website
Personalized birthday card

$100/ year Level 2

Advocate

Adds

Everything in Supporter
Early access to event registration
Advanced research updates

$250/ year Level 3

Champion

Adds

Everything in Advocate
Special ribbon or lapel pin at events

$500/ year Level 4

Visionary

Adds

Everything in Champion
Visionary members highlighted at the Annual Gala
Exclusive event invitation

$1,000+/ year

What counts toward your levelSkyward Society giving reflects annual individual contributions. It doesn't include donations made through events or event participation.

Membership benefits

Closer to the science, and to each other.

Members get a front-row view of the research they fund, and a little recognition along the way.

Visionary · $1,000+

Highlighted at the Annual Gala

Visionary members are recognized at Sky's Annual Gala and receive an exclusive event invitation.

Advocate and above

First in line for events

Early access to event registration, plus advanced research updates.

Every level

Recognized as a member

Your name on Sky's recognition listing and a personalized birthday card. Champions and Visionaries also wear a special ribbon or lapel pin at events.

**Dr. Asfar Azmi**Wayne State University · Karmanos Cancer InstituteSky-funded project: Phase Ib/II clinical study using selinexor with gemcitabine

The science Skyward funds

Meet Sky's newest seed-grant researchers.

Bold, early-stage ideas from labs across the Midwest. This is the work an annual gift keeps moving.

Jonathan Diedrich, PhDMichigan State University — College of Osteopathic MedicineA multi-omic landscape of KRAS variant biology in pancreatic cancer

Brittany Hartwell, PhDUniversity of Minnesota — Department of Biomedical EngineeringEngineering anti-tumor immunity against endogenous retroviruses in pancreatic adenocarcinoma through albumin-hitchiking

Priyanga Jayakrishnan, PhDMedical College of Wisconsin — Department of SurgeryMidkine in pancreatic cancer initiation and liver metastasis

Jeffrey Klomp, PhDMichigan State University — College of Human MedicineTargeting hypoxia-driven drug vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer

Jamie Mills, MD, PhDUniversity of Michigan — Division of Hematology & OncologyDual inhibition of KRAS and BRD4 in pancreatic cancer

Meet all of Sky's funded researchers

Recognition

Our Skyward Society members.

Skyward Society members are recognized here each year. Join to add your name.Join the Skyward Society

How joining works

Three steps, once a year.

STEP 1
Choose your level
Supporter, Advocate, Champion or Visionary, based on your annual gift.
STEP 2
Give through Qgiv
The Join button opens Sky's Skyward Society giving page on Qgiv, our secure donation platform.
STEP 3
Renew each year
Membership is annual. Renewing keeps your level and keeps research funding steady.

Join the Skyward Society

Questions

Good to know.

Other ways to support Sky, from stock gifts to matching gifts, are on our Give page.

What is the Skyward Society?

Sky Foundation's annual giving community: a dedicated group of supporters who commit to advancing pancreatic cancer research, early detection efforts, and patient resources year after year.

Where does my gift go?

100% of funds raised through the Skyward Society go to Sky Seed Research Grants, so every dollar directly supports innovative, early-stage research.

Do event tickets or event donations count?

No. Skyward Society giving reflects annual individual contributions and doesn't include donations made through events or event participation.

How long does membership last?

One year. Members give once a year and renew each year.

Can my employer match my gift?

Many companies match employee gifts, and a 1:1 match doubles yours. How matching gifts work

Is Sky Foundation a nonprofit?

Yes. Sky Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization in Birmingham, Michigan.

Not ready to join?

You can make a one-time donation any time. Make a one-time donation